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Ionian
Islands - Bases Corfu & Lefkas 
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Situated
along the west coast of Greece , these islands are closely
bound by culture, color and melody. Through the passing of
time, they were conquered by the Venetians, the French and
the British. Because of this, and as they are quite near to
neighboring Italy, there is an apparent western influence
on their lifestyle.
K
e r k y r a (Corfu)
The
most famous of the Ionian islands, Corfu acts like a magnet drawing
thousands of visitors all year round. With a coastline of 135
miles, where one comes upon some
of the most famous bays in Greece, like Paleokastritsa, Dasia,
Sidari and others ,beautiful forests, olive groves and picturesque
towns with unusual architecture, Corfu offers a variety to suit
all tastes. The town of Kerkyra itself is one of Europe's showcases,
with a definite influence from 17th century Venice and 19th century
England, seen today by the many public buildings gracing the town.
Corfu became a Corinthian colony in the 8th century BC and rose
to be an important commercial center. In 295 BC she vowed obedience
to the Roman Empire, followed by the Byzantine Empire. In 1267
AD and till the end of the 18th century she was under Venetian
rule and from 1799 the British were in occupation of the island.
In 1864 Corfu joined the new Greek State. It is one of the best
organized islands regarding tourism, and you will have a chance
to enjoy beautiful restaurants and tavernas, bars, discos, fantastic
hotel resorts, museums, cultural events and sports. Don’t forget
to visit the famous palace of queen Elisabeth of Austria (Empress
Sissy)known as the Achilion, because of the beautiful statue of
Achilles "Achilleas Thniskon" (Achilles dying), which
has now been turned into a museum and a casino. Corfu (Gouvia
marina) is the main base for bareboat chartering in the area.
P
a x i
Thirty
miles south of Corfu, the little islands of Paxi and Antipaxi
are picturesque and worth cruising. Dazzling blue
bays with pine trees sweeping down to the sea's edge, famous sea
caves and above all serene surroundings will surely make
your day. Mountainous and green, full of olive groves, vineyards
and cypress trees with a steep west coast and gentle sandy bays
to the east, Lefkas is very close to the mainland. Among many
interesting sights would be a cruise around the little island
of Skorpios belonging to the family of the late Greek shipping
magnet Onassis. From Lefkas you can visit Meganisi with the famous
cave, Atoko island further south (moor at "one-house"
bay) and an assortment of little uninhabited islands close to
the mainland coast.
I
t h a k i (Ithaka)
The
land of Ulysses, an ideal place for calm holidays away from the
crowds. Ithaka is mountainous and green with small secluded beaches.
Its history lost in the beginning of time , reaches out through
ruins found around the island. Sailors tip: Spend an evening moored
at Kioni or Frikes. These little fishing ports make all the difference!

Z a k y
n t h o s (Zante)
"The
flower of the East" is a beautiful green island with golden
bays and crystal waters, tame mountains ideal for climbing and
a very active cultural life. Zakynthos is the home of the Mediterranean
sea turtle "carreta-carreta" a protected species. Don't
forget to visit the sea caves to the North, (they resemble the
famous Blue Grotto of Capri), and a sailing trip to the west side
of the island will bring you to an enormous beach with a shipwreck
embedded in the sand.
L
e f k a s
Lefkada
is a mountainous island, covered with dense vegetation. It is
said that once upon a time Lefkada was united with mainland Greece.
These days to get to Lefkada you don't need to take a boat. Instead
you can go by car or bus, quickly, crossing over a narrow channel
which separates the island from the mainland. Lefkada is also
named the capital of the island, a picturesque town built on a
natural harbour, where is located our base. She is composed with
multicoloured wooden houses. Twelve nautical miles southeast from
Lefkada you can find Meganissi, an small island with three villages,
sea caves, clean waters and wonderful beaches.
C e p h
a l o n i a
The
continuous interchanging landscape characterizes this island.
With calm bays and at the same time unreachable sea rocks , serene
valleys leaning against great mountains, some green, some barren,
the earth full of strange wildflowers, and underneath, waters
flowing upwards - a geological phenomenon studied widely. Her
customs and traditional fiestas have remained unchanged throughout
the ages. Starting from the largest towns, one can cruise round
this big island and visit archaeological sites, enjoy crystal
clear waters in secluded bays or cosmopolitan beaches alike.
K
i t h i r a
Although
this island belongs to the Ionian group, geographically it lies
12 miles from the SE coast of the Peloponnese. Washed by the waves
and the breeze of three seas, the Ionian, the Cretan and the Aegean
sea, the island has strong signs of abandonment, as most of the
young have left to seek a new life elsewhere. In Kithira you have
a chance to enjoy the natural life and her many beauties will
surely compensate you for the long voyage needed to get there.
42.
Kantharou str. 185 36 Piraeus. Greece
Tel
+30 210 4539306 Fax +30 210 4529705 USA Fax (810) 885-0841
email info@seascope-sailing.com